US employers have announced more than 1.1 million layoffs so far this year – the most since the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said in a report Thursday.

Layoff announcements totaled 71,321 in November, a dip from 153,000 cuts in October, the firm said .

But the latest numbers pushed the year-to-date total to 1.17 million layoffs – up 54% from the same period last year as employers blamed artificial intelligence, tariffs and broader economic conditions during a time of uncertainty.

It’s only the sixth time since 1993 that the year-to-date total number of layoffs by November has topped 1.1 million, and three of those other instances took place during a recession, according to the consultancy.

“Layoff plans fell last month, certainly a positive

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